Rusty Redenbacher & Mr. Kinetik, "The Professor and the Hustler"

In a nutshell: It’s a dual-MC wonderland when long-running standout Rusty Redenbacher joins forces with relative newcomer Mr. Kinetik.

Fan finder: Redenbacher portrays the hustler here, noting that, “Players can’t feed their family on props and respect.” Kinetik is the professor: “More words than Webster’s, I paid attention in school. Now I teach class, can’t raise no fools.”

That’s a keeper: Kinetik more than holds his own when trading verses with Redenbacher, highlighted by a manifesto within “Think Before You Speak.” At the end of a detailed 40-second rant, Kinetik offers, “Use your mind. Educate yourself before you enter the zone. Otherwise, you are simply a drone.”

Didn’t see it coming: Redenbacher — issuing his second consecutive non-Mudkids project — revisits a seriousness heard on his “Lazarus” solo album. The song “Baby,” built on samples of the Animals’ “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” details a pregnancy scare: “Look at my pockets, see why I’m stressing. Trying to roll nickels while I count these blessings.”

Selling points: Eleven different producers sound remarkably streamlined on “The Professor and the Hustler.” E Dot Spencer shoots for a summer hit on “Already,” a track defined by swirling orchestral strings and boom-bap rhythm. Feeray recalls 1970s funk on “Over,” while Kinetik multi-tasks when folding Slim Thug’s gangster-themed “Like a Boss” into “Boss Playa.”

Download this album for free at Redenbacher's Tumblr profile.